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History of the Episcopal Parish of Alton
Historical evidence suggests that Episcopalians have been
gathering for worship in Alton since the first
settlers organized this city. Records indicate that a mission was originated and
held services in a small frame structure on the northeast corner of Broadway and
Market Streets when Judge Hawley donated the site in 1823. Over the next 11
years visiting missionaries, priests, and traveling bishops conducted services
in this building.
In 1834 Benjamin Godfrey arrived in Alton. Observing that this thriving community
had no church building, he provided the funds for the construction of a
stone colonial church on the corner of Third and Market Streets. He offered this
church for the use of all organized religious groups. The Baptists,
Episcopalians, and Presbyterians used it regularly. As Capt. Godfrey became a
member of the Presbyterian Church, it became known as the Presbyterian
Church. The
Diocese of Illinois was created in 1835. Alton Episcopalians elected their first
vestry on February 20, 1836. They then called their first resident pastor, the
Rev. James DePui. This historic vestry meeting was presided over by Bishop
Kemper of Missouri, who often assisted Bishop
Chase of Illinois. St. Paul's Church in the town of Alton St. Paul's was admitted
into union with the Synod of the Diocese of Illinois May 15, 1837. At that time,
Rev. DePui raised subscriptions and held an option on a lot for the purpose of
building a new church.
In 1838 Owen Lovejoy, brother of Elijah, became a lay reader and lay delegate from St. Paul's. At about this time the 27 communicants and 50 children supported an effort to begin excavation for a new church. However, the project was abandoned. Luckily in 1845 the Monticello Seminary, which now owned the church building, found itself in need of funds. The Presbyterians were expected to purchase it but hesitated. Capt. Godfrey then offered it to the Episcopalians for $1800. The vestry accepted the offer. Controversy then arose over the bell which had been given to the First Presbyterian Church by Winthrop Gillman's mother. During the controversy, the bell was hauled away one night and now hangs in the bell tower of the First Presbyterian Church at Fourth and Alby Streets. The Presbyterians reimbursed St. Paul's in the amount of $200. Bishop Chase consecrated St. Paul's July 4, 1848. In 1849 the vestry purchased a new bell which hung until the tornado of 1860. During 1849 Alton experienced a severe epidemic of cholera. Many of the inmates of the old penitentiary, where St. Paul's Rev. Dr. McMasters was chaplain, died. The epidemic reduced the thriving membership of St. Paul's to only 35 communicants. As a result, in 1850, Rev. Dr. McMasters reported that the parish could no longer support itself, and he resigned to return two years later.
By 1855 the congregation decided that a complete renovation of the church building was needed. Much of the old foundation was used, the walls were strengthened, and 45 feet were added to the length of the building. This new structure was built at a cost of $10,000 and consecrated by Bishop Whitehouse on July 4, 1857.
Tragedy again hit St. Paul's on June 1, 1860, when a tornado struck Alton demolishing the bell tower, breaking the new bell, and unroofing the entire structure. Due to a shortage of funds, the vestry contracted only for a new roof, a hung plaster ceiling, and nonrestoration of the bell tower.
Before 1870 a group of Episcopalians in northern Alton were meeting regularly in the home of Mrs. William Mathis at 1905 State Street. As attendance grew, they found it necessary to build a chapel as a parochial Sunday School Mission for the cost of $2000. Trinity Chapel was completed in 1870 with Bishop John Henry Whitehouse holding the first service on April 16, 1871. St. Paul's first pipe organ, built by Mr. Gratian, was installed at the front of the church in 1871 with the first vested choir being established at this time. During 1872, the vestry voted in favor of allowing lay leaders to conduct services. The General Convention of 1875 allowed for three divisions of the Diocese of Illinois; Chicago, Quincy, and Springfield, with Rev. George Seymour becoming the first Bishop of Springfield. Bishop Seymour presented the lot directly east of St. Paul's in 1885 to the vestry on which to build a rectory. Money was borrowed to build the rectory. Then it was rented out to obtain income. Ten years later the rector was finally allowed to move in after repairs were completed following the collapse of the clay bank which "wrecked" the house. Rev. Fr. Henry M. Chittendon arrived at St. Paul's in 1892. His arrival marked the beginning of a more fluorishing period for the church. During this time, the eagle lecturn, bishop's chair, and front doors were added. The parish grew in numbers and was finally free from debt in 1902. The original parish house was extended eastward and a Market Street entrance was also added during these prosperous times. The beginning of the twentieth century also marked the origin of the first women's group of St. Paul's named the Women's Auxiliary. For a brief time their emphasis was on the collection of clothing for needy missions, then its work shifted in 1902 to using United Thank Offering for training women missionaries. Of interest, the congregation began calling their rector "Father" in 1925. Some members had used that form of address since Fr. Chittendon's time. St. Paul's centennial was celebrated in 1935 and through the great efforts of the members, themselves burdened by the depression, over $30,000 was raised for the benefit of the church. New pews were purchased and installed with part of the money. In 1937 St. Paul's became an incorporated body. Under the able leadership of Rev. Marsden Whitford, the church, in grave need of repairs, was renovated. His vision was of converting the old church into a fine, new modern church while preserving the original design. Bedford stone replaced wooden frames for some windows and doors. Some otuside stone work was rebuilt including the east and west towers and central gable. A new Baptistry was installed in the east tower room and the Peace Chapel in the west tower room. The organ was increased in size and moved to the balcony in the rear. The sanctuary was widened and made deeper with the floor being laid with Moravian tile. The pulpit was moved against the front wall, and a canopy was placed over it. The stained glass window over the altar was removed, and the wall was made solid. Finally, the communion rail was made the width of the nave and moved forward to allow freer movement behind it. The congregation did not rest after these renovations were completed, but continued to work together for the benefit of St. Paul's. In 1960, with Rev. John Young's guidance, additional property on Market Street was purchased and a new educational building was erected at a cost of approximately $230,000. At this time the old rectory was torn down and a garden to the memory of Mary Olin was built in its place.
The work of the women to raise money for the parish and Diocese continued throughout this period. Five regions were organized in the Diocese during 1950 for the auxiliaries, each with its own officers. Their name changed to "Episcopal Church Women (ECW)" in 1960, but their priorities remained the same. Of all the renovations occurring over the life of St. Paul's Parish, the greatest endeavor was during 1975-76 under Rev. Roger White's leadership. The entire church was involved except for the four outside walls. The attic and roof were removed and replaced. The timbered floor was torn out. To replace it, steel and concrete were installed. New heating and lighting systems were installed as was carpeting. A new pipe organ' console, additional components, and choir seating in the loft were added. A day chapel was built in the former acolyte room, and the sacristy was extended. The cost of this effort was in excess of $330,000. Following this Trinity Chapel was renovated through the efforts of its members. New carpeting, pews, lights, stained glass windows, and a free standing altar were installed plus major exterior improvements were made. Throughout the history of St. Paul's Parish or as it is now know as The Episcopal Parish of Alton, it has withstood the hardships of war, severe economic difficulties, and the absence of clergy. However, the parish stood united during hard times and has continually worked together in prosperous times to preserve, expand, and improve the Episcopal Parish in Alton.
THE BELL - When we bought the Godfrey building in 1845, there was a bell in the steeple, which had been presented by the mother of a prominent Presbyterian. An argument ensued over who rightly owned the bell. The Episcopalians insisted that they had purchased it as part of the building; the Presbyterians, that it was rightly theirs by gifting. One night the bell was mysteriously removed from the steeple at St. Paul’s; it hangs now in the bell tower of First Presbyterian Church, just around the corner!
THE NEW BELL -
After the furor over that bell subsided (and the Episcopalians had been paid $200), the Episcopalians decided to purchase their own bell, which they did in 1849. But in 1860 a furious tornado swept through Alton, ripping the roof from the new 1857 church and toppling both bell and tower. Repairs to the roof began immediately; however, to this day neither bell nor tower has been replaced!
BEAU -
In the garden of St. Paul’s under the weeping cherry tree, you’ll see a small white stone marker with the inscription, Beau. Beau was the beloved canine companion of Father Robert Atchison, buried here at Father’s request. Under Father Atchison’s leadership the congregation raised $30,000 for the installation of new pews in celebration of the centennial of the church.
ANGELIC SUPPORT
When the most recent major renovation was begun in 1975, the engineers found that termites had eaten almost entirely through the huge wooden beams that supported the floor of the nave. Showing one of the damaged beams to the congregation, Father White announced that the angels had been holding up the floor of St. Paul’s for years! (See photo!)
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